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World's Top Squash Players To Perform At Dubai Opera

Dubai representatives and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) – the global governing body responsible for the administration of professional squash around the world – announced today that the 2017 and 2018 editions of the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals will be staged at the state-of-the-art Dubai Opera, a 2000-seat multi-format venue which forms the centerpiece of The Opera District in Downtown Dubai.

The two year agreement, facilitated by Falcon and Associates, will see the world’s top male and female squash players perform on one of the region’s grandest stages in front of thousands of anticipated spectators. The announcement builds on the excitement generated by the inaugural 2016 PSA Dubai World Series Finals which is currently underway in a purpose built venue in Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, where tickets have been in high demand.

“By hosting the PSA Dubai World Series Finals in Dubai Opera, thousands of fans around the world will be treated to high-quality squash in a simply breath taking setting, while our players will feel privileged to play in such an iconic arena," said PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki.

"The quality of play on court, coupled with the atmosphere within the venue, will make for a spectacular occasion and we are excited to be a part of the city’s impressive sporting story.”

The PSA Dubai World Series Finals is the season-ending climax to the both the men’s and women’s PSA World Series tours, featuring only the world’s best eight qualified players as they battle it out for the last title of the season.

Players compete for ‘Road To Dubai’ Ranking points at each PSA World Series Tournament in a bid to earn one of the coveted eight berths and a chance to compete in one of the sport’s most lucrative events.

Commenting on the announcement, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, His Excellency Saeed Hareb said: “Dubai continually looks for new ways to develop its state-of-the-art facilities to improve the experience of elite athletes and spectators alike. The 2016 PSA Dubai World Series Finals has been a fantastic spectacle so far and by securing the superb Dubai Opera venue for the 2017 and 2018 editions, the future of the tournament looks very bright indeed.

"By delivering this world-class sporting event in a completely new and exciting way, we hope not only to enhance the emirate’s growing reputation as an international home for racquet sports but inspire thousands across the region to play this fantastic sport.”

Chief Executive of Dubai Opera, Jasper Hope, added: “As the emirate’s first purpose-built multi-format theatre, Dubai Opera has been designed specifically to host a wide spectrum of events that appeal to the cosmopolitan population that visit, live and work in Dubai. The venue’s unique ability to harness the state-of-the art technology and support systems in-house to create a truly first class entertainment experience is as perfectly well suited to sport as it is to culture. This is hopefully the first of many more elite sporting contests to share the Dubai Opera stage with our world-class artistic programme and we very much look forward to hosting the world of squash next year.”

Dates for the PSA Dubai World Series Finals tournaments were also announced as June 6th - 10th in 2017 and June 5th - 9th in 2018.

Tickets are now on sale now for the 2016 event through Ticketmaster online here: http://bit.ly/20rBVjD and further information on both the PSA World Series and the PSA World Tour is available online here: http://bit.ly/23VVrVA.